Lift For Hand-Held Underwater propulsion Device

ABSTRACT

A lift for launching and retrieval of hand-held underwater propulsion devices from a boat. The lift is removably inserted into a rod holder or receiving cavity in the gunnel of a boat, where it is able to swivel 360 degrees. The lift is designed with a serpentine shaped curve on the lower edge of the body of the frame of the lift, so that the lift can swivel outboard and inboard and lift a hand-held underwater propulsion device without damaging the edge of the boat and without damaging the object being lifted.

This is a regular patent application based upon provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/979,073, filed Apr. 14, 2014 titled “Lift for Hand-Held Underwater Propulsion Device.”

The present invention relates to a lift for launching and retrieval of hand-held underwater propulsion devices (herein “device” or “devices”) from a boat. The lift is removably inserted into a rod holder or receiving cavity in the gunnel of a boat, where it is able to swivel 360 degrees. Other rotatable mount systems may be used. The lift is designed with a serpentine shaped curve on the lower edge of the body of the frame of the lift, so that the lift can swivel outboard and lift a device without damaging the edge of the boat and without damaging the object being lifted. The serpentine shaped curve of the lower edge of the body of the frame of the lift also ensures that the lift can swivel about the gunnel mount in order for the lift to hang overboard the boat to retrieve a device and then be able to swivel 180 degrees and place the device in the boat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hand-held underwater propulsion devices are used by snorkelers or scuba divers to guide the snorkeler or scuba diver through the water. Hand-held underwater propulsion devices are motor driven devices for aquatic sports, namely, locomotion devices for use on and under the water. One such device is called a SEABOB (Registered trademark of Cayago AG Stock corporation). Currently, these underwater devices weigh 29-35 KG (64-77 lbs) and are 1200×507×372 mm (47×20×15 inches) in length, width and depth. These hand-held underwater propulsion devices are typically deployed off the transom or the side of the boat for use by divers. However, it is difficult to launch and retrieve these hand-held underwater propulsion devices and haul them back into the boat because the devices are relatively large, about 18-15 inches wide and about 30-36 inches long and weigh in excess of 60 pounds. It is also impossible to use a regular right angular winch on a boat's edge to lift these devices without potentially causing serious damage to the boat and/or the hand-held underwater propulsion device.

Boat lifts, personal water craft lifts and marine hoists are known, however, they tend to be permanent lifts attached to the boat. The lifts are very large and cumbersome and tend to be unsightly on the boat. Boat lifts and personal water craft lifts are designed to be able to lift several thousand pounds. Accordingly, it is desired to make a removable and stowable, lightweight lift capable of easily launching and retrieving a hand-held propulsion device from a boat.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lift for hand-held underwater propulsion devices where the lift is removably inserted in the rod holder or receiving cavity in the gunnel of a boat. The lift is able to swivel 360 degrees in the receiving cavity such that it can be swung outboard the boat and then swung back inboard the boat. This allows the lift to launch and retrieve objects such as a hand-held underwater propulsion device. A cable from the lift is attached to a hand-held underwater propulsion device, or a carrier for such a device, and a winch on the lift is used to manually raise or lower the device out of or into the water.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a removable lift for launching and retrieval of hand-held underwater propulsion devices. The lift is designed to be easy to manufacture and install, easy to operate, and removable from the gunnel of a boat when not in use. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lift for a hand-held underwater propulsion device wherein the lift is operable by a single person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A lift for launching and retrieval of a hand-held underwater propulsion device comprising two frame plates spaced apart by frame supports. A first set of terminal ends of the frame plates form a gunnel mount for a swivel connection to a boat. A second set of terminal ends of the frame plates has mounted there between a lifting pulley. A winch is mounted intermediate the two ends of the frame plates. A cable is deployable from the winch, wherein the cable runs over the lifting pulley at the terminal ends of the frame plate. The cable contains a clip mechanism on the terminal end of the cable for attachment to a hand-held underwater propulsion device or a carrier for the device. The frame plates are attached to the gunnel mount at an approximate 45 degree angle.

Stated otherwise, the lift is adopted to be mounted on or in a gunnel of a boat, for launching and retrieval of a hand-held underwater propulsion device (such as a SEABOB™) from the boat. The hand-held underwater propulsion device weighs in excess of 60 pounds and is larger than 30 inches by 15 inches by 10 inches in length, width and depth. The lift has two frame plates which as parallel to each other, with cross member supports. The frames are spaced apart by frame supports. Each frame plate has respective proximal terminal ends adapted to be disposed near the gunnel and has respective distal terminal ends spaced away from the gunnel. The proximal frame plate terminal ends are fixed or coupled to a gunnel mount which gunnel mount is adapted to be rotatably attached or affixed to the gunnel. The mount system permits the frame plates to swivel over and beyond the gunnel and to swivel over the gunnel and into an inboard portion of the boat, both with and without the hand-held underwater propulsion device. The distal frame plate terminal ends have mounted there between a lift pulley. A winch is mounted on the frame plates intermediate the distal and proximal frame plate ends. A cable is wound about the winch and is deployable from the winch. The cable runs over the lift pulley. Also, the cable has a clip mechanism for the hand-held underwater propulsion device on a cable terminal end. The frame plates are attached to the mounting post at an approximate 45 degree angle above a horizontal plane defined by the gunnel.

A lift, adopted to be mounted on or in a gunnel of a boat, for launching and retrieval of a hand-held underwater propulsion device from said boat, said hand-held underwater propulsion device weighing in excess of 60 pounds and being larger than 30 inches by 15 inches by 10 inches in length, width and depth. The lift comprises two frame plates spaced apart by frame supports, each frame plate having respective proximal terminal ends adapted to be disposed near said gunnel, and having respective distal terminal ends spaced away from said gunnel. The proximal frame plate terminal ends fixed or coupled to a gunnel mount which gunnel mount is adapted to be rotatably attached or affixed to said gunnel, thereby permitting said frame plates to swivel over and beyond said gunnel and to swivel over said gunnel and into an inboard portion of said boat. The distal frame plate terminal ends having mounted there between a lift pulley. A winch is mounted on said frame plates intermediate said distal do proximal frame plate ends. A cable is wound about said winch and deployable from said winch, said cable adapted to run over the lift pulley, said cable having a clip mechanism for said hand-held underwater propulsion device on a cable terminal end. The frame plates are attached to the gunnel mount at an approximate 45 degree angle above a horizontal plane defined by said gunnel.

For retrieval, the hand-held underwater propulsion device is attached to the lift by clip outboard of the boat in the water. The winch reels in the cable when activated manually by a user and the lift raises the device. The lift is then swiveled from about 90 degrees to 180 degrees so that the device hangs inboard the boat. The device is then set on the boat deck and the clip is detached. Likewise, upon launch, the hand-held underwater propulsion device is attached to the clip inboard of the boat. The lift is then swiveled from about 90 degrees to 180 degrees so that the device hangs outboard the boat. The winch lets out the cable when manually activated by a user, and the lift lowers the device to the water. The clip is then detached.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the present invention can be found in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the lift.

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the lift.

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the winch.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the winch.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the winch housing in the frame plates of the lift.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the winch seated within the winch housing.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a boat employing the lift to deploy an hand-held underwater propulsion device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a lift 1 with a gunnel mount 2 that fits in a rod holder or receiving cavity in a gunnel of a boat. Other rotatable mounting systems may be used. The mount may be in board on the gunnel. Frame plates 15 are connected together and held a certain fixed distance apart from each other in a parallel configuration by frame supports 12. The frame plates 15 are mounted or formed on the gunnel mount 2 at approximately a 45 degree angle from the horizontal plane of the gunnel. The gunnel mount 2 is located on the proximal terminal ends of the frame plates 15. The gunnel mount 2 is adapted to be removably and rotatably attached to the gunnel of a boat, so that the frame plates 15 can swivel over and beyond the gunnel and also swivel over the gunnel into an inboard portion of the boat.

The lower edge 7 of frame plates 15 of the lift 1 contain a serpentine shaped curve. The serpentine or S-shaped curves are identical. A winch housing 3 is created in the frame plates 15 by a void through the frame plates 15. The winch 20 is located intermediate the distal and proximal ends of the frame plates 15 of the lift 1. In a preferred embodiment, the winch 20 is located or mounted in the portion of the frame plates 15 nearest to the gunnel mount 2. In the preferred embodiment, the winch 20 is located in the lower ⅓ to ½ section of the frame plates 15 nearest the terminal end containing the gunnel mount 2. A winch 20 is mounted to the top surface of the frame plates 15 and seated in the winch housing 3 void. The winch 20 is secured in the winch housing 3 by known means such as screws and/or bolts. Currently, a manual winch is used. An electrical winch may be used.

A lift pulley 13 is located on the lift 1 at the distal frame plate 15 terminal ends. The lift pulley 13 is located between the frame plates 15. A cable 5 runs from the winch 20 to the lift pulley 13 and extends from the distal end of the lift 1 so that an underwater propulsion device may be attached to the cable 5 and lifted by the lift 1. The cable 5 can be a galvanized steel cable or other metal rope sufficiently strong to lift the weight of the desired object. A line protector panel 16 attaches to the end of the angular anchoring portion of the lift 1 and protects the users should the cable 5 snap or come loose in any way. The internal cavity created by the frame plates 15 can optionally include cable line guide pulleys 11. The cable line guide pulleys 11 guide the cable 5 through the lift 1 and ensure the cable 5 is in the proper position. The cable guide line pulleys 11 also serve to ensure the proper distribution of weight throughout the lift 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lift 1 has a length m, which is the length of the body of the frame plate 15. In the preferred embodiment m is 3′7⅝″. The lift 1 has a length n, which is the length of the body of the frame that excludes the angular anchoring portion with the gunnel mount 2. In the preferred embodiment, length n is 3′3⅜″. The angular anchoring portion of the lift 1 includes the gunnel mount 2. In the preferred embodiment, the length h1 of the gunnel mount 2 is 5¼″. The length h2 of the angular anchoring portion of the lift 1 is 9 3/16″. In the preferred embodiment, the line protector panel 16 has a length h3 of 9 3/16″. The winch housing has a width of approximately 5″.

One of the several important feautures of the present invention is that the lift-winch is removable form the gunnel. The lift, plus cable and winch weighs about 40 lbs, and is, at a maximum no more than 50 lbs. In this manner, when the lift is not is use, the lift can be removed from the gunnel holder and stored securely inboard the boat.

A cable 5 is wound on the reel of the winch 20 and the end of the cable 5 runs from the winch 20 over a rotating lift pulley 13 at the distal terminal ends of the lift 1. A clip mechanism 51 is attached to the terminal end of the cable 5. The clip mechanism 51 is attachable to a hand-held underwater propulsion device or a carrier for such device.

Upon retrieval, the hand-held underwater propulsion device is attached to the lift 1 by clip mechanism 51 outboard of the boat in the water. See FIG. 7. The winch 20 pulls in or reels in the cable 5 when activated by a user and the lift 1 raises the device. The lift 1 is then swiveled from about 90 degrees to 180 degrees so that the device hangs inboard the boat. The lift swivels the underwater device over the gunnel of the boat. The device is then set on the boat deck and the clip mechanism 51 is detached. Likewise, upon launch, the hand-held underwater propulsion device is attached to the clip mechanism 51 inboard of the boat. The lift 1 is then swiveled from about 90 degrees to 180 degrees so that the device hangs outboard the boat. The winch 20 lets out the cable 5 when activated by a user, and the lift 1 lowers the device to the water. The clip mechanism 51 is then detached. The winch 20 may also be employed in raising or lowering the hand-held underwater propulsion device while the device is inboard the boat so that it the device clears the edge of the boat and deck of the boat. This would involve raising the hand-held underwater propulsion device slightly, perhaps only 1-5 inches, before swiveling the lift outboard upon launch or in the alternative, just after swiveling the lift inboard during retrieval.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the winch 20. FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the winch 20. FIG. 4 is a side view of the winch 20. The winch handle 4 is shown which allows a user to wind or unwind the cable 5 on the reel of the winch 20. This will then raise or lower the device attached to the terminal end of the cable 5 of the lift 1. In the preferred embodiment, the winch 20 will be manually activated by the winch handle 4, similar to a reel of a fishing pole.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the winch housing 3 in the frame plates 15 of the lift 1 and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the winch 20 seated within the winch housing 3. As shown in FIG. 5, frame supports 12 connect and hold frame plates 15 a certain distance apart from each other and secure the frame plates 15 fixedly together. This creates an internal cavity in the lift 1 where through the cable 5 passes. The lower edge of frame plates 15 of the lift 1 contain a serpentine shaped or S-shaped curve. The S-curve is shallow to account for the device swing when the underwater device is near the terminal distal end of the lift. A winch housing 3 is created in the frame plates 15 by a void there through. As shown in FIG. 6, a winch 20 is mounted to the top surface of the frame plates 15 and seated in the winch housing 3 void.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a boat 30 employing the lift 1 to launch a hand-held underwater propulsion device 35. The lift 1 is shown swung outboard the boat 30. A hand-held underwater propulsion device 35 is attached to the lift 1 by a clip mechanism 51. The hand-held underwater propulsion device 35 typically uses a carrier apparatus for securing it to a lift. The carrier apparatus typically includes attachments means, such as a grip or clasping grip that holds and secures the hand-held underwater propulsion devise while it is being lifted. The carrier apparatus also includes attachment means for securing the carrier apparatus to the lift 1 and clip mechanism 51, such as a ring. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier apparatus is attached to the hand-held underwater propulsion device 35 and the clip mechanism 51 of the lift 1 is attached to the attachment means of the carrier apparatus. The dashed lines in FIG. 7 show the inboard position of the lift after delivering the underwater device into the boat.

The frame plates 15 and lift 1 can be made from aluminum, fiber glass, galvanized steel, or any light weight material that will be sufficiently strong enough to support the weight of the hand-held underwater propulsion device and also be lightweight enough to carry and remove the lift 1 when needed. The lift 1 is portable and is designed to be removed from the gunnel of the boat when not in use and stowed away. The portable lift 1 can also be used on any side of the boat that contains a rod holder or receiving cavity in the gunnel for receiving the gunnel mount of the lift 1. The lift 1 and cable 5 can optionally be coated with protective material or vinyl coating so as not to scratch or damage the boat when the lift 1 in use.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, the lift 1 is designed for launch and retrieval of a hand-held underwater propulsion device 35 wherein the lift is removably secured to a boat. The lift 1 comprises two frame plates 15 attached to each other by frame supports 12, wherein the frame supports 12 hold the frame plates 15 a set distance apart creating an internal cavity and wherein the lower edge 7 of the frame plates 15 contain a serpentine shaped curve. A gunnel mount 2 is located at a terminal end of the frame plates 15 which is removably set in a receiving cavity or rod holder of the boat's gunnel. The lift 1 is able to swivel 360 degrees in the receiving cavity of the gunnel thereby allowing the lift 1 to swivel inboard the boat or outboard the boat. A second terminal end of the frame plates 15 has a lifting pulley 13 mounted between the frame plates 15. A winch 20 is seated in a winch housing 3 void created through the frame plates 15, wherein the winch 20 is intermediate the two ends of the frame plates 15. A cable 5 is deployable from the winch 20, wherein the cable 5 runs through the internal cavity of the lift 1, over the lifting pulley 11. The cable 5 contains a clip mechanism 51 on the terminal end of the cable 5 and wherein the cable 5 is controlled by actuation of a winch handle 4. The frame plates 15 are mounted on the gunnel mount 2 at an approximate 45 degree angle above a horizontal plane defined by the gunnel of the boat.

The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A lift for launching and retrieval of a hand-held underwater propulsion device from a boat comprising: two frame plates spaced apart by frame supports, a first set of terminal ends of the frame plates forming a gunnel mount for a swivel connection to a boat; a second set of terminal ends of the frame plates having mounted there between a lift pulley; a winch mounted intermediate the two ends of the frame plates; a cable deployable from the winch, wherein the cable runs over the lift pulley and contains a clip mechanism on the terminal end of the cable; and wherein the frame plates are attached to the gunnel mount at an approximate 45 degree angle.
 2. The lift of claim 1, wherein the lower edge of the frame plates of the lift have a serpentine shaped curve.
 3. The lift of claim 1, wherein the winch is seated in a winch housing that is a void created through the frame plates.
 4. The lift of claim 1, wherein the gunnel mount is removably inserted into a receiving cavity in the boat's gunnel.
 5. The lift of claim 4, wherein the lift swivels 360 degrees in the receiving cavity in the boat's gunnel.
 6. The lift of claim 4, wherein the lift swivels inboard the boat and the lift swivels outboard the boat.
 7. The lift of claim 1, wherein the clip mechanism of the winch is attachable to a hand-held underwater propulsion device or a carrier for a hand-held underwater device.
 8. The lift of claim 1, wherein the winch is manually operated to raise and lower the hand-held propulsion device.
 9. The lift of claim 1, wherein the lift can lift a hand-held underwater propulsion device of about 100 pounds.
 10. The lift of claim 1, wherein the frame plates contain one or more cable line guide pulleys.
 11. The lift of claim 1, wherein the cable from the lift is attached to the hand-held underwater propulsion device, a winch on the lift is used to retrieve and raise the hand-held underwater propulsion device out of the water, the lift and hand-held underwater propulsion device is then swung inboard of the boat.
 12. The lift of claim 1, wherein the cable from the lift is attached to the hand-held underwater propulsion device, the lift is then swiveled overboard the boat, a winch on the lift is used to lower and launch the hand-held underwater propulsion device into the water.
 13. A lift, adopted to be mounted on or in a gunnel of a boat, for launching and retrieval of a hand-held underwater propulsion device from said boat, said hand-held underwater propulstion device weighing in excess of 60 pounds and being larger than 30 inches by 15 inches by 10 inches in length, width and depth, comprising: two frame plates spaced apart by frame supports, each frame plate having respective proximal terminal ends adapted to be disposed near the gunnel and having respective distal terminal ends spaced away from said gunnel, wherein the frame supports hold the frame plates a fixed distance apart creating an internal cavity there between and wherein the lower edge of the frame plates contain a serpentine shaped curve; said proximal frame plate terminal ends fixed to a gunnel mount which gunnel mount is adapted to be rotatably and removably attached to said gunnel, thereby permitting the frame plates to swivel over and beyond said gunnel and to swivel over said gunnel into an inboard portion of the boat; said distal frame plate terminal ends having mounted there between a lift pulley; a winch mounted on the frame plates intermediate the distal and proximal frame plate ends; a cable wound about said winch and deployable from the winch, wherein the cable is adapted to run through the internal cavity of the lift guided by one or more cable line guide pulleys and over the lift pulley, said cable having a clip mechanism for attaching said hand-held underwater propulsion device on a cable terminal end and wherein the cable is controlled by actuation of a winch handle; and wherein the frame plates are mounted on the gunnel mount at an approximate 45 degree angle above a horizontal plane defined by said gunnel.
 14. The lift of claim 13, wherein the lift can lift a hand-held underwater propulsion device of about 200 pounds.
 15. The lift of claim 13, wherein the cable from the lift is attached to the hand-held underwater propulsion device, the winch on the lift is used to retrieve and raise the hand-held underwater propulsion device out of the water, then the lift and hand-held underwater propulsion device is swiveled inboard of the boat.
 16. The lift of claim 13, wherein the cable from the lift is attached to the hand-held underwater propulsion device, the lift is then swiveled overboard, a winch on the lift is used to lower and launch the hand-held underwater propulsion device into the water.
 17. A lift, adopted to be mounted on or in a gunnel of a boat, for launching and retrieval of a hand-held underwater propulsion device from said boat, said hand-held underwater propulsion device weighing in excess of 60 pounds and being larger than 30 inches by 15 inches by 10 inches in length, width and depth, comprising: two frame plates spaced apart by frame supports, each frame plate having respective proximal terminal ends adapted to be disposed near said gunnel, and having respective distal terminal ends spaced away from said gunnel; said proximal frame plate terminal ends fixed or coupled to a gunnel mount which gunnel mount is adapted to be rotatably attached or affixed to said gunnel, thereby permitting said frame plates to swivel over and beyond said gunnel and to swivel over said gunnel and into an inboard portion of said boat; said distal frame plate terminal ends having mounted there between a lift pulley; a winch mounted on said frame plates intermediate said distal dn proximal frame plate ends; a cable wound about said winch and deployable from said winch, said cable adapted to run over the lift pulley, said cable having a clip mechanism for said hand-held underwater propulsion device on a cable terminal end; and wherein the frame plates are attached to the gunnel mount at an approximate 45 degree angle above a horizontal plane defined by said gunnel. 